Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review 2024
A new Powerful Motor, Safe Battery Technology, and All-Around e-Bike Versatility
The Radster Trail is a mid-size fat tire e-bike with a 27.5X 3.0″ tire, it has a newly designed motor with a serious 100 Nm torque with faster speeds, and Rad’s upping the ante on battery safety with their all-new Safe Shield technology. Those three features represent a slight twist on a classic, a more contemporary experience, and bold new innovation, respectively.
Most fat tire e-bikes come equipped with 4 inch tires. Some go even bigger. Rad Power opted for a 3 inch tire, which we found holds a nice balance between stability and agility.
But what really sets the Radster Trail apart is, at its heart – the most powerful and efficient motor Rad Power has ever engineered. The 750W motor on the Radster Trail has a whopping 100 Nm of torque that produced Rad’s best hill test results to date, while also improving the rider experience with a more natural-feeling torque sensor for its engagement. It also is capable of class 3 speeds (something they left off the RadRover 6 Plus) with available 25 or 28 mph speed settings.
And at a time where battery safety is ever-present in the headlines, Rad is setting a standard we expect others to follow. Their new tech helps better protect the battery, and mitigate catastrophic accidents.
But, is this all just flashy ‘safety’ hype and a new set of tires? Or, did Rad Power actually deliver with a bike that balances performance, capability and practicality, all at an affordable price point? Take a ride with us and let’s find out in our Rad Power Radster Trail review.
- Versatile and well-rounded, the Radster Trail is a compelling combination of comfort and capability that will appeal to a wide range of riders
- One of Rad’s best motor experiences to date. The new 750W, 100 Nm of torque climbs hills easily, but it has very manageable power for any rider.
- We love the enhanced fire safety with Rad Power’s new Safe Shield Battery, which features individual fire barriers for each cell, effectively preventing battery fire “runoff” and providing peace of mind.
- Impressive range of over 75 miles on a single charge, achieved through the combinatin of a high-capacity 720Wh battery and an efficient torque sensor.
- Better handling than most fat bikes. The 3”-wide tires are still very stable, yet feel livelier in turns than most 4”-tires.
- Well-equipped for commuting, with integrated turn signals, front and rear lighting, fenders, and a rear rack, making it a practical choice for daily rides.
- We like the increased e-bike security with the included proximity key fob (or backup password), providing an added layer of protection against unwanted use.
- Braking felt solid thanks to the Tektro E350 Hydraulic Disc Brakes and 180mm rotors.
- Practical range of gears. The large 50T chainring and 8-speed Shimano drivetrain worked well with the bike’s class 3 speed capabilities.
- A bit nitpicky, but we would like to see an upgrade to the charger to at least three amps for faster re-charge times.
- The front fender, resembling a short MTB-style fender, offers limited protection against water splashes, which might not be enough for commuters, potentially leading to a wetter ride in rainy conditions.
- Battery:48V 15Ah with 720 Watt hours
- Display: LCD – Full Color
- Motor: 750W Rear Hub with Torque Sensor
- Headlight:200 Lumen LED
- Taillights:ILED
- Pedal Assist: 5 Levels
- Claimed Range:25 to 65 Miles
- Tested Range:Max PAS: 75.5 Miles and PAS 1 34.9 miles
- Throttle:Yes, twist grip
- App:No
- UL Certification:Yes – UL-2271 and UL-2849
- Claimed weight: 77.5 lb w/battery, and 68.5 lb without
- Tested Weight: 78.8 lb with battery, and 68.7 without
- Rider height range: Regular Frame: 4’11” to 5’8″, Large Frame: 5’7″ to 6’4″
- Maximum rider weight: 290 lbs
- Maximum load on the rear rack: 55 lbs
- Max payload capacity:370 lbs
- Brakes:Tektro E350 With 180mm Rotors, dual piston calipers
- Fenders: Front and Rear
- Fork: Suntour SR Hydraulic Front Fork w/ 80mm travel
- Frame: Aluminum
- Drivetrain: Shimano Acera, 8-Speed 50T Chainring and a 11-34T Cassette
- Grips: Ergonomic style, black rubber
- Saddle: Padded sport saddle
- Handlebar: BMX Style
- Kickstand: Yes, rear mounted
- Pedals: Flat Plastic with reflectors
- Tires: Kenda Havok 27.5″ X 3.0″ with puncture protection and tan sidewall
Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review: Speed Test
The Radster Trail really let its motor do the talking in our Speed Test. I tested each of its five pedal assist system (PAS) settings in both class 2 and 3 across all five levels of pedal assist on our local multi-use paths.
Beginning with the PAS deactivated ( in PAS 0), I pedaled the bike by leg power alone and tried to keep a relaxed pace. My average speed to start on leg power alone was about 9 mph miles per hour.
Kicking things off in class 2 settings, I activated PAS 1 and I felt a very subtle bump in assistance that brought my speed up to 10.2 mph As I climbed through each level of pedal assistance, my speed increased at an even pace to 12.4 mph in PAS 2, 15.2 mph in PAS 3, 18.2mph in PAS 4, and 19.6 mph in PAS 5.
Next, I changed to class 3 settings through the bikes LCD display menus. Yet again, PAS 1 reached 10.2 mph. As I went through the remaining levels I saw speeds of 13.7 mph in PAS 2, 17.9 mph in PAS 3, 21.8 mph in PAS 4, and finally 28 mph in PAS 5.
It’s worth mentioning here, being that the bike has a torque sensor, in theory, your results may vary. A torque sensor measures the amount of force I am applying to the pedals. If I pedal harder, it delivers more pedal assistance, and on the flip side, if I give less leg power, it backs off and gives less pedal assistance.
Torque sensor and hub motor combos are becoming more common. They provide better battery efficiency, and a more natural ride feel when done right. The feel element can range from loosey goosey, to pretty dialed in. Rad’s felt like it was on the better end, delivering faster speeds when I pushed harder. It felt easy to find your right speed.
I also liked the drivetrain. I found the Radstar Trail’s 8-speed Shimano to have a practical range of gears that worked well, from PAS 0 manual pedaling all the way up to 28 mph speeds. The 50T chainring paired to the 11-34T cassette was a solid choice.
Overall, these results were really solid. The Radster Trail not only boasts big torque numbers, but lives up to its Class 2 and 3 classifications, having no trouble reaching both classes speeds with smooth and even power throughout all 5 levels.
Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review: Range Test
Now to answer one of the burning questions on everyone’s mind of our Radster Trail review: How far will the Radster Trail go on a single charge? Well, we’ve hit the trails and have the data to share with you.
For the range test, we run it in two sections. First, we charge up the Radster Trail to 100% and hit the road in the lowest PAS setting (PAS 1) and see how far it will go, then, we charge it up again and run it until empty on PAS 5, the highest level.
For context, the folks over at Rad Power Bikes say the Radster Trail has a range of ‘Up to 65 miles’.
On the first run (PAS1) we managed to ride the bike for a whopping 75.5 miles! To help put that into perspective, that took us 7 hours 5 minutes, averaging 10.2 mph and climbing a total of 1638 ft in elevation. We were impressed. That’s more than you typically see on a 720Wh battery, especially on a bike with wider tires.
On the second portion of our range test, with a freshly charged battery, we covered 34.9 miles over the course of 1 hour 53 minutes, averaging a speed of 18.0 mph and gained 635 ft in elevation. Again, really solid results.
Overall, the Radsters 720 Wh battery paired to the new Rad Power 750W motor with a torque sensor, proved to be a great match, balancing performance with efficiency.
Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review: Hill Test
On the first run in throttle only, the Radster made it up Hell Hole in just 1 minute and 33 seconds with an average speed of 11.7 mph.
On the second run, when putting some leg muscle into the mix along with PAS 5 the Radaster Trail made it up Hell Hole again, this time in 1 minute 16 seconds with an average speed of 14.3 mph.
Both of those numbers represent all time personal best marks for Rad bikes we’ve reviewed. So overall, these numbers show the 750W motor paired with its 100 Nm of torque were more than enough to climb even the meanest hills here in Southern Utah. So, if you are looking to use the Radster Trail in an area with some beastly hills, you can count on the Radster to get the job done.
Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review: Brake Test
One area that is usually hit or miss with e-bikes, is the choice of brakes. Fortunately in the case of the Radster Trail, it came equipped with Tektro E350 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors. It’s a fairly “middle of the road” choice that we have found to produce pretty consistent and solid results.
For the brake test, we use the same tester, Griffin, for the most accurate and consistent results. Griffin gets the bike up to 20 mph and starts braking at a predetermined line. We then measure the distance it took for the bike to stop, and we do this 3 times taking the average stopping distance of the 3 runs.
In the case of the Radster Trail, it scored a respectable stopping distance average of 21 feet 8 inches. When we take a step back and compare that to comparable fat tire bikes equipped with similar setups like hydraulic disc brakes, we see the Radster Trail falls into the better half of the pack.
In my time with the Radster Trail this week putting over 60 miles personally on the bike, the brakes always gave confident stopping power. Once again the Tektro E350’s prove to be a reliable workhorse, stopping the Radster Trail safely every time I asked it to.
Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review: Ride Quality
While the handlebars do not have an adjustable stem, you can adjust the tilt of the handlebars towards or away from yourself along with the seat post height to dial-in a fit that you find comfortable.
The cockpit has a full-color LCD display that has a smart take on e-bike security, in the form of a proximity key fob. This adds another layer of theft protection as the bike’s motor cant be activated without either a 4-digit passcode, or a swipe of your key fob.
Aside from updated theft tech, the LCD display shares quite a bit of other handy information. Of course, It can show the basics like current speed and PAS setting, and the odometer, but it shares even more, like current wattage being used and the estimated range left until empty, so you can plan accordingly with no surprises.
The Radster Trail does have a Suntour SR front hydraulic suspension fork with 80mm of travel. I found this fork to feel pretty good when dropping off curbs or going over the occasional rock. However, due to the upright riding position here my center of gravity is positioned mostly on the seat post, it did not offer much shock absorption in day-to-day paved path rides.
When it comes to ride quality of the Radster Trail, it’s hard not to talk about the tires. The tires on the Radster Trail are made by Kendra and measure at 27.5 x 3.0” with an off-road tread pattern. Aside from looking great with their tan sidewalls, the choice to go with a 3 inch tire over the more commonly seen 4.0 (or bigger), in our opinion, was a great choice. The handling of the 3 inch tire just feels better in cornering and handling overall while still being wide enough to inspire confidence when tackling the trail off the beaten path. Sure, there is a little road noise when you are on paved surfaces, but that’s to be expected with any off-road tire.
To be clear, the bike is best suited for the mildest of off-roading, but it does bring the versatility factor of the bike overall up with that 3”-wide, knobby tread.
Hovering over those tires are the front and rear fenders. While we found the front fender to be on the shorter side, likely appealing to its ‘Trail’ designation, it only offers a little relief from the occasional splash, on wetter days, you will likely want full coverage if you’re a commuter.
And finally, you have probably one of the coolest features from Rad Power BIkes in the form of their 15Ah, 720 Wh semi-integrated battery with what they have coined as ‘Safe Shield Advanced’ battery technology. This Safe Shield tech is a big step even further into e-bike battery fire protection measures. In simple terms, each individual battery cell is encased in a fire-resistant thermal barrier to prevent a ‘run off’ of all cells if one happens to catch on fire. Basically, this is the same technology in electric vehicles and it’s now in our e-bikes. While Rad Power is not the first to do this, they are one of only a handful of e-bike companies going the extra mile when it comes to safety and we hope to see this as an industry standard in the years to come.
Rad Power Bikes Radster Trail Review: Summary / Where to Buy
The newly improved 750W motor with a torque sensor and 100 Nm of torque took us a crazy 75 miles over 7 hours. It was one of its best hill-climbers from the brand yet, and still felt easy to control. Not to mention choice of 3” tires over 4”, the full commuter perks including turn signals, and even the ‘Safe Shield’ battery tech, the Radster Trail felt like a refreshed take on a fat tire bike, and we think it’s one many people will enjoy.
With all that praise, we still found a little room for improvement, and if we are being honest, it’s a bit nit-picky. The current two amp charger, while effective, is just slow and we would love to see at least a three amp charger. It’s a solid upgrade that riders who commute daily and have to charge at work will like, and we don’t think it would raise prices much, if at all.
And while the front fender is a nice touch, I don’t think it matches the personality of the bike as it’s more of a nod to an eMTB style mud fender, and we’d like to see a full front fender that we think most riders will appreciate more in practicality terms.
See what I mean? These are really small complaints.
Bottomline, a corner-stone of the Radster Trail is versatility, it’s a bike that seems built to be ridden for a variety of different ways.. I genuinely enjoyed my time on the Radster Trail and I see this bike having a place in many garages as it fits so many needs. Whether you want to commute in the city or hit some mild trails on the weekends, the Radster Trail has you covered.
Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Rad Power Radster Trail down in our comments section.
John says
Excellent review, however I would have liked to see some testing of the claimed water resistance. Thank you
Mike East says
Thanks John, we would love to start incorporating that, well have to talk it over but it’s a great idea!
p k says
bike mfg’s need to start caring about how much their bikes weigh, 70+ lbs is just too much. 50 or so lbs should be the most for any ebike. to weigh.
Shawn R. Britton says
Wondering if the front fender (and possibly the chainguard) from the Radster Street can be painted accordingly and mounted on the Trail model?
Mike East says
While I cant confirm this, based on the same frames (minus the different handlebars), it seems highly likely you could do this.
charles says
I bought a radster based on your review and seems to have a lot less power than the juggernaut hub duo I am replacing even though that only has 80 torque rating. I can barely get up the hill to my house, checked with dealer and said mine operates properly. any thoughts or am I doing something wrong
John S. Bozick says
How steep is the hill? Regardless, I would bet that there are two factors at play. First, peak wattage is also a factor in climbing power, and while I don’t see an exact figure stated on the Biktrix website, I would bet it’s higher than the 750W of the Radster. Also, the Juggernaut has a 52V electrical system, so it’s more powerful by nature as it can draw and use power faster.
Charles says
when you did the hill climb test using the mokwheel asphalt st with a smaller 500 watt motor using the same rider (Justin) and same 48 v battery these times came in significantly faster than the radster you are reviewing here. Upon further investigation (acknowledged after weeks of correspondence with rad power bikes) the 100nm of torque on the radster is only applicable at speeds from 0 to 4 mph and radically decreases from there which is not how most bike manufactures do their torque rating so please be aware of this when purchasing especially when in a hilly area such as santa barbara where I live . Also please encourage Rad power Bikes to publish a more realistic torque output
Charles says
the biktrix has a rating of 80 and its a heavier bike yet is is much faster on a hill, even the 500 watt 48v moxwheel asphalt st that you tested is faster on the hill climb.
John S. Bozick says
There again, the Mokwheel Asphalt’s motor likely peaks above 750W when going uphill.
Marty says
I would really like to know the max dirt grade the Radster can climb. A Rover 6 can climb a 15% dirt trail, no steeper, I have tried numerous times. A 12% hill really is not that steep when out in the canyons so knowing if a Radster can go up say 17% or 18% is a big purchase point for me. I realize trail condition as well as tire condition comes into play.
Don Nelson says
A thorough and very helpful review. I’ve had this bike for a few months and found the review opinions to be in sync with my own real life riding experience.